France meets USMC

an email | 12/03/02

[Sungirl]

I don't know how true this is, but it makes a good story.

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France Meets the USMC -- or -- A U. S. Marine in Bosnia

A funny thing happened to me yesterday at Camp Bondsteel (Bosnia):

A French army officer walked up to me in the PX, and told me he thought we (Americans) were a bunch of cowboys and were going to provoke a war. He said if such a thing happens, we wouldn't be able to count of the support of France.

I told him that it didn't surprise me. Since we had come to France's rescue in World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and the Cold War, their ingratitude and jealousy was due to surface at some point in the near future anyway.

That is why France is a third-rate military power with a socialist economy and a bunch of wimps for soldiers.

I additionally told him that America, being a nation of deeds and action, not words, would do whatever it had to do, and France's support was only for show anyway. Just like in ALL NATO exercises, the US would shoulder 85% of the burden, as evidenced by the fact that the French officer was shopping in the American PX, and not the other way around.

He began to get belligerent at that point, and I told him if he would like to, I would meet him outside in front of the Burger King and beat his behind in front of the entire Multi-National Brigade East, thus demonstrating that even the smallest American had more fight in him than the average Frenchman.

He called me a barbarian cowboy and walked away in a huff.

With friends like these, who needs enemies?

Mary Beth Johnson
LtCol, USMC

[sharktrager]

The first 50 times this got posted the soldier was a guy.

[nightdriver]

"He began to get belligerent at that point, and I told him if he would like to, I would meet him outside in front of the Burger King and beat his behind in front of the entire Multi-National Brigade East, thus demonstrating that even the smallest American had more fight in him than the average Frenchman."

Way to go, Mary Beth! Luv ya! HOO-AH!!

[SevenDaysInMay]

Even if brie, cut the cheese.

[Batrachian]

And their cars suck, too.

[Bobibutu]

As a former Marine...

Beg to pardon - there are no "former" Marines - once a Marine - always a Marine - you may be reserve, inactive, discharged or retired, homeless, or otherwise but always a Marine - you are unique - special - have been or are "the pointy end of the spear". You have awesome reserves and capabilities within you and the U.S. of A. owes you all and the rest of our forces massive debts of greatfulness...

Put on your Dress Blues and go to the next Marine Ball - experience how you are received...

Semper Fi Dude

[AnAmericanMother]

Never a good idea to malign a saint.

Jeanne couldn't help where she was born, and she did her best. And her cowardly king abandoned her to her fate at the hands of the Burgundians and the English, making no effort to rescue her. She was a better saint than they deserved (although maybe one they need, to give them a good example.)

[fish hawk]

She should have kicked him in the gonads but then, the French don't have those do they?

[Little Bill]

You have that right Brother, I have never met anyone who went up against the Germans who had a bad word to say about them as soldier.

[edwin hubble]

Thanks for that great reply.

Semper Fi

[i_dont_chat]

Hard to picture:

A pistol strapped around anyone's waste! Uggggh!

[B-Chan]

D'accord. Vive la France de Sainte Jeanne d'Arc et Notre Dame de Lourdes.

[xkaydet65]

You remind me of an ancient episode of I Spy.
Culp and Cosby are tracking a Latin American dictator with a French Bodyguard. Their contact warns them that this man fought at the Plaines des Jarres, Dien bien phu, and Algeria so the duo beeter be careful. Cosby drolly comments, "all losers!" I thought it was funny, but my Dad almost choked on his Camel he was laughing so hard. The Frogs, always good for a laugh.

[Texican]

Bob:
I have not been able to get into my "Blues" for 50 years. I tried a couple of years ago and the darn things smelled so bad of moth balls that I could not stand it.

You have a nice day and the very best to you and yours.

Semper Fi
Tommie

[Centurion2000]

bump ... they did do us a favor from 1776-1783 ..... I'll give them a little credit. Since then they've been nothing but pansies though.

[CARepubGal]

Are the regimental flags in the French army really all white? :-)